Plate-lock

ABSTRACT

A weighted plate with a self-contained or integrated securing mechanism with integral parts including but not limited to: (1) a clamp decreasing handle, which acts upon and engages (2) a clamp decreaser, which acts upon and engages (3) the clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism, which causes a decrease in the inner circumference of said weighted plate until it comes into contact with and becomes secured to the bar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/659,568 filed on Feb. 9, 2005, specifications which are incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the health and fitness industry, specifically free weight training, and provides a safer and more convenient alternative to the use of bar clamps and/or locking collars as a method of securing weighted plates to weight lifting bars.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In the past and present, gyms, fitness centers and health clubs which provide free weights for their clients would also provide bar clamps or safety collars to secure weighted plates on a barbell and/or dumbbell. This would allow the end user or weight lifter to use the weights without the weights sliding off or wandering on the bar during use allowing the end user to lift in a safer capacity.

There are many types of safety collars, but nothing as unique as Plate-Lock. What makes Plate-Lock a far superior product to all safety collars?

-   -   A. Plate-Lock is defined as a weighted plate with a built in         locking mechanism     -   B. Plate-lock puts the free weight securing mechanism at the         users' fingertips whenever a weight is applied to a bar.     -   C. Due to the convenience of an all-in-one weight plate with         safety mechanism built in more users will secure their weight         plates while lifting.     -   D. Plate-Lock is less time consuming to use than a weighted         plate with separate safety collar.     -   E. Plate-lock eliminates an inconvenient accessory, which can at         times become a tripping hazard on gym and/or home gym floors.     -   F. Plate-Lock will prevent the weight plate from sliding and or         wandering on the bar, keeping weights balanced while in use.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Besides the objects and advantages of the Plate-Lock illustrated and described above, many objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   A. To provide a weighted plate with self-contained securing         mechanism.     -   B. To prevent the end user from having to search for a safety         collar or bar clamp with which to secure a weighted plate to a         weight lifting bar or dumbell.     -   C. To provide the end user more time lifting free weights and         less time searching for safety collars.     -   D. To provide a safer environment in a weight lifting facility         and/or home gym by keeping it free from the obstruction of         safety collars and/or bar clamps on the floor.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, Plate-Lock comprises a self-contained securing mechanism which is manufactured into the weighted plate.

DRAWINGS AND FIGURES

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different numerical suffixes.

FIG. 1.1 illustrates the weighted plate.

FIG. 1.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 1.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 1.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

FIG. 2.1 illustrates the weighted plate.

FIG. 2.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 2.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 2.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

FIG. 3.1 illustrates the weighted plate.

FIG. 3.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 3.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 3.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

FIG. 4.1 illustrates the weighted plate

FIG. 4.2 illustrates the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 4.3 illustrates the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIG. 4.4 illustrates the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Weighted Plate. 3. Clamp decreasing mechanism.

2. Handle of the clamp decreasing 4. Decreasing clamp ring and/or mechanism. gripping mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS—FIGS. 1(4), 2(4), 3(4), & 4(4)

FIG. 1.1 illustrates the angled view of the weighted plate. FIG. 1.2 illustrates the angled view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 1.3 illustrates the angled view of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 1.4 illustrates the angled view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism. FIG. 2.1 illustrates the side view of the weighted plate. FIG. 2.2 illustrates the side view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 2.3 illustrates the side view of the clamp decreasing mechanism.. FIG. 2.4 illustrates the side view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism. FIG. 3.1 illustrates the reverse angled view of the weighted plate. FIG. 3.2 illustrates the reverse angled view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 3.3 illustrates the reverse angle view of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 3.4 illustrates the reverse angle view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism. FIG. 4.1 illustrates the reverse side view of the weighted plate. FIG. 4.2 illustrates the reverse side view of the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 4.3 illustrates the reverse side view of the clamp decreasing mechanism. FIG. 4.4 illustrates the reverse side view of the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

OPERATIONS—FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4

Plate lock is used to secure a weighted plate on a bar.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the self-contained securing mechanism of Plate-Lock.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the handle of the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the clamp decreasing mechanism.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, & 4 depict the decreasing clamp ring and/or gripping mechanism.

From the description above, a number of advantages of Plate-Lock become evident.

-   -   A. With a self-contained securing mechanism, accessory safety         collars and/or bar clamps will be no longer be needed.     -   B. With Plate-Lock there will be no time spent searching for         safety collars, making time spent in the gym and/or home gym         more efficient.     -   C. Due to it's increased convenience, Plate-lock will make         securing weighted plates to bars and dumbbells easier and         therefore more widely practiced. In essence it will make free         weight training in gyms and/or home gyms safer and more user         friendly.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see how Plate-Lock will be beneficial to the weight lifting and/or health industry.

-   -   Plate-Lock will help create a safer environment in the gym         and/or home gym.     -   Plate-Lock will free up end users time, in that they will no         longer have to search for safety collars which are used today.     -   Plate-Lock will be the safe way to secure a weighted plate on a         bar. Due to it's convenience more users will secure their         weights to the bar. 

1. I claim a weighted plate with a self-contained securing mechanism. a.) A turning mechanism with threads to tighten the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism as relates to claim
 1. b.) A handle mechanism pushed side to side within the plane of the weighted plate to tighten the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism as relates to claim
 1. c.) A geared mechanism with teeth to tighten the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism as relates to claim
 1. d.) A cam locking lever mechanism to tighten the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism as relates to claim
 1. e.) A cam lever attached to a steel band which tightens around the bar as relates to claim
 1. f.) A spring-loaded lock handle which when released tightens the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism as relates to claim
 1. 2. I claim a weighted plate with a self-contained securing mechanism which secures said plate to a bar by way of decreasing the inner circumference of the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism, until it comes in contact with the bar. a.) A turning mechanism with threads to tighten the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism thereby decreasing it's inner circumference as relates to claim
 2. b.) A handle mechanism pushed side to side within the plane of the weighted plate to tighten clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism thereby decreasing it's inner circumference as relates to claim
 2. c.) A mechanism which clamps by way of a screw to put pressure on the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism which therefore decreases it's inner circumference as relates to claim
 2. d.) A geared mechanism with teeth to tighten clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism which therefore decreases it's inner circumference as relates to claim
 2. e.) A cam locking lever mechanism which, when moved side to side within the plane of the weighted plate, puts pressure on the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism thereby decreasing it's inner circumference as relates to claim
 2. f.) A spring-loaded lock handle which, when released, puts pressure on the clamping ring and/or gripping mechanism thereby decreasing it's inner circumference as relates to claim
 2. 